Flaming out: Sister Jan Slattery prepares to depart St John of God Hospital.
By John Van Klaveren
AN ERA ended at Geelong’s St John of God Hospital this week with the retirement of its last Sister.
Sister Jan Slattery was farewelled after working in pastoral care for 33 years at the private hospital.
Her retirement marked the end of a link with the Sisters of St John of God, who rescued the hospital only days away from sale 38 years ago.
Director of Mission Trish Boom said long-standing St Mary’s parish priest Monsignor James Murray issued an emergency call to the order to save the-then Holy Cross Hospital.
“The Sisters accepted the challenge and came to Geelong to take over from the Missionary Sisters of Sacred Heart who could no longer sustain the financial burden.”
Ms Boom said hospital management had transitioned during the past 10 years to the laity due to the increasing demands of modern medical facilities.
“We take very seriously the legacy of care and compassion left to us by the Sisters of St John of God.”
Sister Jan said the former 81-bed hospital had undergone huge transformation and massive growth.
“It is bittersweet to be retiring after all these years and I’m sad to be leaving friends and people we have cared for.”
But Sister Jan said she would return to visit from her new home in the order’s Perth convent, health permitting.
The keen Cats supporter said she hoped to watch her boys play when they visited Subiaco, across the road from her convent.
St John of God hospital has announced a major redevelopment project including a six-storey medical centre, an emergency department and a rehabilitation centre.
